Dead Mans Party
Chapter 14
...My Moment To Shine...
Jun glaired some, raising her hand now so that her tailsmans hid much of her lower face. Hao didn't do much, just stood now, watching her, seemed to be lost in his thought. He then blinked, smirking some slightly. "Though what you said is true...I'm going to have to ask you to leave..." he said, turning some. Jun blinked a bit, glancing to everyone, to Len, who knelt in a pool of his own blood, skeletons bounding him to the ground. "I'm sorry, but..." began Jun, turning an icy gaze to Hao. "You have someone very dear to me, someone I can't afford to leave behind..." she said, Hao only shrugging. "Sorry, your brother's a little busy at the moment." he said, looking to her once more. "And didn't your parents teach you any manners? It's rude to leave in the middle of a party." he said simply, flashing a sarcastic smile, before turning his back to her.
Jun emitted an angry growl. "Well then..." she said, thrusting her hand foward now. "Allow me to leave you a parting gift!" she shouted, the tailsmans glowing now, then flying foward, creating a medium sized explosion, a grey-ish smoke now in the air. And out of the smoke lept three hunter spirits, the trio leaping over the pinned shamans and towards Hao.
Hao blinked, stopping now, but kept his back to the tall female and her guardian ghost. He smirked some at her words, already had sensed the hunter spirts. "Fool..." he said softly, turning now, grabbing one of the spirits by its wrist and flipping it over his shoulder. He then grabbed the other two by their necks, smashing their heads together, watched as they faded into dust. He dusted his hands off, blinking a bit when he sensed the first hunter spirit, once again charging him. He smirked, thrusting his hand out, quickly taking off the its head.
Jun blinked rapidly, lowering her hand some, watched as her puppets were transformed into dust. Hao clapped, Jun blinking some, noted he was no longer standing before them, but now sat atop a large rock, clapping his hands slow and tauntingly. "Bravo..." he said softly, giving her a wicked grin. "Bravo indeed..."
Jun only glaired, growling low now. ...he's strong... she thought, quickly plotting out her next move. Hao only sat now, resting his left elbow on his left knee, his chin resting in the palm of his left hand, giving her a smile. Jun blinked some, tilting her head slightly, was sure she wasn't dealing with just any ordinary shaman. She then let her eyes wander, let them scan the graveyard, taking note of the others. They were all bloody and pinned by skeletons, Jun unsure of why and how, but deciding not to go there. She also saw Anna, tied to a tree behind Hao. Jun narrowed her eyes a bit. ...he's protecting her... she thought, but quickly caught sight of Yoh, who was furthest from the others, but closest to Anna.
All this passed through Jun's mind in a second, allowing her to get an idea of the situation and how to deal with it. She moved her foot some about to get in her stance and stopped when Hao spoke. "I wouldn't do that if I were you...fight me that is." he said, smiling softly with his eyes closed, looking so much like Yoh. Jun only blinked, amazed as to how well he was able to read her mind. "And if I do?" she asked, Hao giving her a dangerous smirk. "You'll end up like that." he said, motioning to the other shamans, who were still pinned under large skeletons.
Jun glaired some, seeming to ignore Hao's warning, once again about to assume her stance, when Len spoke. "No!" he shouted, Jun blinking as she looked at him. "Don't you dare try to fight him you hear me?" Len yelled, panting heavily. "Len..." said Jun softly, a sad expression on her face. Len only growled, shaking his head. "I said no! You're not going to fight him and that's final! Now get out of here!" he ordered, his breath coming quickly.
Jun only staired, her sad expression quickly becoming soft. ...Len... she thought, so happy to see Len show emotion, to know he cared about her, and the others for that matter, that he was no longer the cold hearted shaman Uncle En had tried to create. With that in mind, Jun clenched her fist some, resting it infront of her chest. "Don't worry Len, I've got Li Pai Long with me, and plenty of tailsmens. Just relax, i'll have you all free soon." she said, turning now to face Hao, Len and the other pinned shaman only blinking, shocked that she was still standing there. Was she mad! Had she not seen what Hao had done to them? And yet she was still going to face him? "Damn you, Jun! Stop! He'll kill you!" shouted Len, a few tears hitting the ground as he struggled to free himself.
Jun only clenched her fist more, felt tears forming in her eyes as well, so happy to see her brother full of emotion now. ...Yoh... she thought, a cool smile on her face. ...you gave Len his heart back, and I shall give you your life... she thought proudly, getting into her stance. "Li Pai Long..." she said softly, her spirit beside her now, also in his fighting stance. "Ready when you are." he said, smiling.
Hao blinked some, a calm expression on his face. He then closed his eyes, smiling. "Don't say I didnt warn you..." Jun narrowed her eyes and nodded, both her and Li dashing at Hao, but quickly stopped, numerous skeletons before them now, blocking the path to Hao and the other shamans. ...damn it... thought Jun bitterly, stepping back now, Li doing the same. He then stepped behind her, the two back to back, the skeletons quickly closing in on them.
Hao only smirked at thier futile attempt. As if they could have realy hit him, please. He watched now, once againg resting his chin in the palm of his hand, was eager to see how the natorious Ms. Tao would hold up against an army of the undead. ...not too well... he thought, flashing a crule smile. He didn't want to waste anymore of his furioku, was already busy saving it up for when Faust VIII would once again reawaken. Yup, the two troublemakers had managed to knock him out cold. It didn't matter though. Hao had only spent a third of his furioku on Faust and less then that on his army of skeletons, and it wasn't like he was going to start joining the fight, nope. He needed his furioku, just in case...
...incase what...? his mind screamed, quickly becoming aggitated. He was pissed now, pissed at himself for thinking so highly of Yoh and his little friends. ...but who's pinned and unable to fight...? he thought, smirking some, noting HE was still in control. However, he still had to be cautious, couldn't get too over confident. Whenever he did that, the unthinkable always happned. ...like now... he thought, narrowing his eyes at Jun and her guardian ghost. Sure, they were no match for him, or the skeletons for that matter, but it wasted his precious time, time he could be using now to toy with Anna and kill the others.
He sighed some, running his fingers through his hair. "You're trying my paticence..." he said, annoyance rolling off his tongue. Jun only stood, assuming her stance, Li getting into his as well. "I'm not leaving without them..." she stated, her voice determined and true. Hao only gave a smirk, his eyes closed once more. "Have it your way then." he said, snapping his fingers, the skeletons encircling the two finally moving in for the kill...
Jun didn't panic, hell, she didn't even move, just stood now in her stance, felt Li's back against her own, knew they were only going to be able to save the others, and themselves for that matter, by working together, however... It was quick, a large skeleton pouncing at Jun. She caught it in mid-air, kneeing up just enough to strike the spinal cord, shattering it in two. Li then lept over her, taking care of one that attempted to counter attack. It was taken care of easily, one of Li's mighty fist shattering its brittle bones with ease.
Jun hadn't wasted time, quickly spinning now, slamming her right heel into another skeletons chest, sending ribs flying. She then knelt, sweeping out now to trip a few more down, was sickend when she hit one of the more zombie like creatures, its slimy juices spraying up her left leg and thigh. She quickly whiped it away, rolling now so that she could sweep out once more, hitting a few more skeletal beings down, Li holding his own, covering her.
Jun knelt now, both arms raised in a defensive postion, her black dress fluttering softly to rest on the ground. Her chest heaved now, her heart racing. Sure, they fell down easy, but as soon as one went down two or more were ready to take its place. It worried her, because she didn't have much furioku to work with, not to mention the fact that she needed to save as much of her furioku as possible to face Hao and rescue the others. ...right now, i'm just wasting my time... she thought, narrowing her eyes at Hao. She needed to think and fast, because she could hear Li in the background, pounding away at the things that were trying to kill them.
It didn't take Jun long to come up with a plan. She had remembered something, something long ago. ...Yoh... she thought, recalling the fight she had had with him when they had first met outside the theater. Yoh and Amidamaru had managed to fight well, because they fought together, as one, not individually. With that in mind, Jun called to her spirit. "Li, enough." she began, Li Pai Long, stopping some, backing up to her. "What?" he asked, a bit concerned, seeing as the skeletons were starting to gather once more. "We must fight as one." she said, looking up to her spirit. Li blinked, a bit confused, then smiled, extending his hand to her. Jun took it, and was gently pulled to her feet. The two staired into each others eyes, still holding hands. "If we fight together, we can beat them, i'm sure of it." said Jun, Li giving a smile and a nod. "Of corse." he said.
Jun then stepped back, bent over a bit moving the large slit in her dress to reveal much of her upper tigh, but mostly reveal her garder that hugged her leg. She slipped a few tailsmens from it, letting the dress once again set against her hip and leg. Slowly, she slipped the bright colored tailsmens between her fingers, rasing them so they hid much of her lower face once more. She and Li would soon be fighting, but for now... ...for now, we could use some help... she thought, chanting a bit, before throwing the tailsmens out, summoning several hunter spirits.
The plan was simple; create a path to Yoh and the others, free them, then get the hell out of there. It sounded easy, but sight and sound were two very different things, and even with the hunter spirits help, things still weren't looking too good. Jun didn't care, pushing her doubts aside. ...it's all we can do... she thought, noted it was true. Hao wasn't going to let her go now, and to leave her friends and Len there, to die... it was wrong and she refused to do it. She'd get them out of here, one way or another, they were all leaving this graveyard alive.
With that in mind, Jun and Li began to move, once again back-to-back. They didn't have to speak as they began to get into their stances, mimicing each other's moves. Jun struck out first with a swift kick, Li doing the same, skeletal bones flying everywhere. Then then spun, switching sides, Jun taking a skeleton's head off with a quick karate-chop, while Li delt with a zombie, his massive fist shatering its rotting face with ease. "That's just wrong.." he mutter, shaking foul flesh and slime from his hand, Jun chuckling some. The two then swept low, tripping a few skeletons, then stood, stomping their heads, terminating them. The two continued this pattern, could see the skeletons were getting less and less now, renewed hope burning within their hearts, sure now more then ever they would be able to save those dear to them.
Hao wasn't amused, was only getting pissed by the second. He felt them, the skeletons, felt them all falling, felt the number of them dwindiling as much as his energy and furioku. He sighed, rubbing his forehead now, throughly annoyed. He knew he was going to have to do something soon, because if he didn't Ms. gone goody-two-shoes- Jun was going to take out his skeletal army, and free the others. ...and ruin my party... he thought, pouting childishly. With this in mind he began to plot...
There weren't many options to begin with. First of all, he had to decide on a target; Anna, Yoh, Jun, the others? Surley Anna would be his target, however, he decided to digress a bit more...
The options were minimal; mainly down to only five. Option number one, was basically focusing his remaining furioku on the skeletons, and allowing them to take out the pest that had stopped by and ruined his perfect plan. The plan itself was blan, and didn't amuse him one bit. Killing June wouldn't exactly blow his...poncho up. Aside from that, none of the others were truly close to the female shaman anyway, except for maybe Len and aside from that, she really was no threat. ...onwards to option two... he thought, patting his middle and index fingers against his chin some.
Option two was simmilar to the first, however...his target wouldn't be the vulumtuous Ms. Tao, but the annoying shamans that Yoh called his "friends". Yes, they were still pinned and what not, but at the rate his skeletons were dropping... ...they'll be free in a few minutes... He growled a bit, annoyed by this fact. After he had tried so long to get them pinned and what-not! He sighed a bit rubbing his forehead. ...thirty minutes to do...point thirty seconds to ruin... he mummbled. Sure, taking out the shamans that had slowed Yoh's journey would be a treat, but still, there was always Anna...
Ah, yes Anna. He hadn't forgotten her, not at all. She had been quite now, tuckered out from all her idiotic struggling. True, she was the key to Yoh's downfall, and yes, Yoh's reason for living and breathing, but killing her was just too, well too expected of him. Even now, Jun had taken note of the fact that he, Hao, was protecting the blonde, and all here knew very well what Faust VIII was planning to do to her...
...Faust VIII... Hao thought, narrowing his eyes a bit. Yes, that sorry excuse for a necromancer was still unconcious on the ground, knocked out cold thanks to the fool Li Pai Long. Hao had been waiting for what seemed an eternity, truly only turnning out to be a good five or six minutes for the doctor to re-awaken, however, he hadn't yet, and no, he wasn't dead. Hao had been aware of that for sometime...the necromancer had gave a few soft moans, and his chest rose and fell ever-so slowly. Hao really didn't care of the doctor lived or died anyway, the only reason he needed the doctor was so that he could destroy Yoh and the others...
...Yoh... Hao blinked a bit, turnning his attention to his twin, who still rest on his knees, watching as Jun and her spirit took on Hao's army of the undead. Hao only smirked, had already figured out which option he'd be using. ...none of the above... he thougth, a smug look on his face.
It was brillent, absolutely perfect and best of all, something none of them would even fanthom. Hao then turned, faceing his beloved Anna. The two had locked eyes, staring at each other while the battle raged on in the background. Hao held his gaze with Anna, her doing the same, both expressions blank, til now...
Anna had been quite, watching the battle some, watching the others, trying to free her now sore, red wrist , doing the same damn thing over and over again, sickened by the fact she was powerless. She was also sore and tired as hell and wanted to sleep so badly, but just couldn't, didn't want to think of the many things Hao might do to her... She shuddered at the mear thought of it. She then raised her head up...and locked eyes with Hao.
The two staired each other down, gazes unwavering. Hao's expressionless look was annoying her, and yet she was even more annoyed when it changed. In his eyes, she saw a real flicker of interest...something she had never seen before. She blinked a bit, taken aback. What the hell had she just seen and felt? She had no idea and wasn't sure if she wanted to know or not.
Hao only smirked now, wasn't sure if Anna had seen his true colors, and really didn't care. He wasn't dumb, by no means, and knew full well that she was madly in love with his brother. They had something he had never seen before, their bond, was, well, plainly put, it was amazing. Yoh could "hear" her and she could "hear" him, as if they were one...something Hao had never known, but wanted to experience, with Anna...
Hao only frowned some, pushing the thoughts aside. It didn't matter, he could careless if she was interested in him or not. What did matter, was getting rid of Yoh. Maybe with him out of the way, Anna would see things in a new light. With this in mind, Hao began to move, turnning now so he could face the beautiful shamanic princess, Anna blinking slightly, unsure of what he was doing.
Hao smirked, taking a few steps towards her, Anna glairing, tugging once more at her bound wrist. It hurt so damn bad, like razors, millions of tiny razors, jabbing the tender flesh around her wrist, each time digging deeper and deeper, as if attempting to strike blood or bone. Anna didn't care about the pain too much, knew this pain now was going to be nothing compared to the pain Hao had in store for her. ...seeing as he even decides to kill me... she thought, knew he had had several chances to, but always seemed to "chicken out" at the last second. ...more like, he gets interrupted... she thought, mentally slapping herself.
...fool, think! He's gonan kill you...! her mind screamed, Anna's body already leaping into motion. She closed her eyes tight, moaning out some in pain, tugging hard now at the ropes around her wrist. She opened her eyes, made damn good sure to keep them open, wanting to keep a close eye on the loonatic that was taking his sweet time to get to her, or so it seemed...
Hao hadn't been moving quick, had turned a bit to face Anna and took a few, extremly slow steps to her, stopping after doing so. He seemed to be waiting, for what Jun didn't know or care, only wanted to get her ass and all her friends asses out of this place ASAP. However...
Jun screamed as she went flying, kicked back by a duo of skeletons. She spwaled across the ground hitting it hard and bouncing, crashing into the skeletons that had Lenny and Trey pinned. The three landed after rolling a few feet, colliding with a large tombstone. "Ohh, my head..." moaned Trey, getting to his knees, and rubbing his extreamly sore and bloody head. "Pah, it's not like there's anything in it to hurt..." said Len sarcastically, laying on his back. Trey blinked a bit, glancing around. "Dude...we're free!" he shouted, Len sitting up, groaning. "Free of those skeletons, but not the others." he stated, went to stand, but fell to one knee. His side, it hurt so much. Trey blinked a bit, quickly going over to his friend. "Len!" he shouted, examining the violet haired boy.
Len only moaned through clenched teeth, then closed his eyes tightly, ripping what appeared to be skeletal fingers from his side. He tossed them down, cursing. Trey blinked some, quickly putting his hand on his friend's oozing wound. Len growled, swatting it away. "Back off!" he barked, his fierce eyes wild with excitement, his cheek burnning with what Trey thought was embaressment. "Dude, shut up, you're bleeding all over the damn place!" stated the blue haired shaman, quickly placing his hand on the wound again.
Len went to lift his hand to strike the boy, but just couldn't, the thought alone enough to make he want to pass out. ...so tired... he thought, closing his eyes slowly. He knew he was almost out of furioku, and knew that the battle had just truly began, that the skeletons were nothing but a poor excuse for Hao to finish them all off in a blaze of glory. ...as if... thought Len angrily, wincing again at the tremendous pain in his side.
What Trey knew about first aid, he could sum up in three seconds, or less. He wasn't very familair with all the equpiment in a first aid kit, nor had he ever really bothered to carry one with him. He did know though, that bleeding was bad, especially when one was bleeding profusly. All in all, he knew blood was bad and that stopping it was very important. He also knew clothing made one hell of a bandage when band-aids and bandages themselves were unavailable. With this in mind, he quickly took off his jacket, ripping the sleeve off. Len watched, panting heavily, too tired to even think of asking his friend what he was up to. Trey then proceeded to rip the sleeve down the middle, and ever so carefully, wrapped his injured friends side.
Len moaned, closing his eyes tight. The pain was more annoying then painful, and Trey's attempts at being gentle didn't help too much either, however, Len was grateful to his friend. At least now while they battled, dirt, brains, and bones would stay out of his injury. ...that is, until the bandage is ripped off... he thought bitterly, knew that a bandage was like a target, a damn sign that read "weak spot; hit here." Yes, it annoyed him, but he knew the bleeding needed to be stopped, especially now, seeing as he and the others were in no shape to fight. Every drop of blood was important, as was every ounce of strenght the team could muster up.
Len personally didn't care if he bled to death or not. All he did care about was kicking the crap out of Hao, a task none of them had ever seemed to occomplish, well, except for Yoh, and maybe Anna...somewhat anyway. Aside from that, Len needed to find Jun... ...Jun...! he thought, wide eyed. "Jun?Jun?" he shouted, looking around frantically. "Where are you?" he shouted louder, felt paniced when he didn't hear or see her. "I'm right here..." he heard, his heart seeming to skip a beat. He breathed a sigh of relief, closing his eyes...then opened them. "Where?" he asked, glancing around a bit, Trey doing the same. "Here..." she repeated, rasing a hand.
There she was, lying on her stomach on the ground, dirty form her roll, cut from the gravel, yet still alive, and...was serving as a chair for Trey. Trey only blinked, looking down, noted he was sitting on Len's sister's back. He raised his gaze to Lenny, giving a nervous smile. "Heh...I found her..." he muttered, Len only seeing red, quickly punching out, sending his blue haired friend flying.
"Jun, are you ok?" asked Lenny, helping his sister to her knees, dusting the lower portion of her dress off some, then her hair. Jun nodded, rubbing her forehead. "I'm fine." she said, assuing him with a faint smile, Len nodding some, ignoring Trey's screams as he sailed through the air,slamming into another tombstone. Jun only blinked rapidly, turnning her attention to the shaman. "Oh dear, is he alright?" she asked, instinctivly rasing her left hand over her mouth. Len nodded, his eyes narrowing. "Unfortionatly..." he murmured, Trey quickly sitting up, shaking a fist at him. "I heard that!" he shouted, before falling over.
Lenny only sighed, closing his eyes as he rubbed his forehead. It felt like he had been hit by a truck, ok, like ten or twelve trucks, but all in all, he knew he was sore and would be for God only knew how long. ...Enough, we're wasting time...! his mind screamed, jerking him back into the reality of their situation. ...Wakey wakey...you're in a graveyard with a loonatic that wants you and everyone else here dead...! Len only blinked, letting his thoughts settle in. With that in mind, he knew it was time to leap into action. He winced, holding his side. ...more like..limp into action... he thought, mentally cursing. Jun blinked, looking to him, quickly resting her hands on his shoulders. "Len, you're hurt!" He quickly brushed her off. "I'm fine." he said, forcing himself to his knees. Jun watched sadly, went to touch his shoulders once more... "I said i'm fine!" he shouted, giving her a quick glaire. "I don't need you to help me!"
Jun's expression saddend more as she looked down, staring blankly at the ground. Len sighed some, knew he had hurt her feelings, but knew he was doing it to protect her. There was no way in Hell that he'd be able to go up against Hao knowing Jun was also out there, putting her life on the line as well. ...can't you understand that... he thought, staring at his emerald haired sister. She must have felt his gaze, slowly lifting her head some to look at him.
Len still wore a stern, cold, angry look, but it quickly faded when his eyes met hers. He sighed deeply, closing his yellow eyes. "Jun...I'm sorry..." he began, turnning now so that his back was to her. Jun only blinked, lifting her head more now. "What?" she asked, unsure of where he was going with this. He opened his eyes, staring off a bit, across the cemetary, away from the area the others were in, the other side of the cemetary...
It looked so peaceful there, the trees swaying some in the soft breeze, the sun shining, the quite, serene of the graveyard, so calm, as if there was no battle taking place at all. Len wished so much he and the others were there, that Jun was there...sitting pretty, quietly reading or tending to her spirit. Not here, lost in battle, left scared and tired...Jun didn't deserve that, she didn't need it. These thoughts swirled in Lenny's mind, angering him to no end. Why did Jun have to get dragged into this? Why? ...because of me... he thought, closing his eyes sadly. He knew Jun had come for him and the others...but mostly him, and that thought made him wish he were stronger, because he didn't want her to risk her life to protect him, no he wanted to do that himself...
Jun only watched him, still on her knees on the ground, bloody and bruised from her brush with death...literally. She watched as Len's head bowed slightly, knew he was thinking, but also knew her shamanic powers were too low now to read his mind, aside from the fact she wasn't really good at it anyway. She then blinked, saw Lenny move some, and staired at him, his back still to her. Slowly, he looked back over his shoulder at her, and Jun's eyes widdened, was shock when she saw tears in his gorgeous eyes.
"Forgive me Jun...I didn't mean to hurt you..." he spoke softly, his eyes and hers locked. "I just..." he began, looking down some, his cheeks seeming to heat up. He then locked eyes with her again, speaking softly, almost a whisper. "I want to protect you..."
Jun only looked at him shocked, had never expected to hear him say such a thing. It's not that she thought him cold, or cruel, but more to keep such thoughts and feelings to himself, rather then to talk or announce them. "Len..." Jun said softly, wanting so much to get up, run and hug her younger brother, but couldn't find the strenght to, too tired from her skeletal battle. She then smiled softly, then slowly, got to her feet, Len blinking a bit, watched as she dusted off the rest of her dress and hair, a cool smile on her lips.
"Len...I know you want to protect me..." she began, Len tilting his head a bit, turnning to her slightly. "But, if you keep doing that, I'll never get stronger..." she added, Len about to speak, but Jun quickly continued on. "One day, you may not be here, we may be seperated, and if that happens, i'll need to protect myself." she finished, Len frowning a bit, but giving a slight nod, knew he couldn't disagree with her there. However, he still felt like he was doing the wrong thing by letting his beautiful sister fight.
Jun blinked some, frowning slightly. She knew the whole stereo-typical thing, how the girls were ment to be helpless in battle, while their brave "knights" fought to protect them, how romantic! Not...at least not in her book. She was a shaman, and that ment her holding her own in a battle and on a battlefield. She understood that Len, as her brother, was basically suppose to protect her, after all, she is his sister, however...
Jun smiled at Len. Len blinking some, looking at her. "What?" he asked. She smirked some, holding up a few tailsmens. "I've still got some furioku left..." she began, Lenny continuing to blink, stairing at the tailsmens, then at her. Jun nodded some, speaking determinly. "Let's protect each other...and our friends." Lenny blinked rapidly again, then smiled, his eyes colsing. ...no point in trying to argue with her... he thought, knew once she set her mind to something, there was no way to change it. He then looked to her, nodding. "Ladies first..." he spoke, the two smiling...then blinking when they heard Trey in the back. "Uh...a little help here please?"
The two fell over aime style, but quickly recovered. "Enough you whimp! Get up!" shouted Len, Trey seeming to push himself up, but only falling flat on his face. "Ooof!" he shouted, Lenny and Jun sweat-dropping. "I'm going to rejoin Li Pai Long!" shouted the beauty, quickly running off to find her spirit before Len could stop her. "Jun!" he shouted, then growled, looking at Trey. "You dolt! Get up now!" he demanded, then blinked some, saw Trey's left leg had a large gash in it.
Trey looked up, his left eye closed, his mouth opened enough to bear his clenched teeth. He winced some, making eye contact with Len, and blushed deeply, knowing full well that Len had seen the large gash on his leg. Quickly, he put his hand over it, trying his best to cover it, then forced himself to one knee, moaning some painfully. Len sighed frowning some, then rolled his eyes, stepping to his blue haired friend. "Here, let me help you..." he said softly, putting one arm around the shaman's back and under his arm, letting the sole weight of the two fall on him. Slowly, and very carefully, Trey got to his feet. "Thanks man." said Trey, smiling at his friend. Len smiled some, giving a slight nod. "No need really." he bagan. Trey blinking a bit. "We're even now." he stated, motioning to his wrapped up side. Trey blinked a bit, then smiled nodding. "Yup, totally!" he replied, giving a thumbs up.
"Ahhh!" yelled Jun, quickly dodging a skeleton's attack, but bearly, it's bony fingers scrapping the back of her leg some. Len narrowed his eyes, Trey doing the same. "Enough wasting time, we need to get out there and fight." said Len, Trey nodding. The two looked to each other, asking with their eyes if the other was ready. The answered silently with a nod, and with that were off, both grabbing their weapons and sharing unity with their guardian ghost. "Bason! Rapid Temple Assualt!" shouted Len, quickly slicing and dicing a mass of convering skeltons, bones flying everywhere.
"Icicle Assult!" shouted Trey from the right, impailing numerous skeletons on massive shards of ice. He then slid past a few, tripping them with his good leg and punching a few others heads off. He then glanced back, saw Ryo still struggling to get free and also noticed poor Morty was about to be fricaceeded by a group of hungry looking zombies. "Not today!" he shouted, quickly changing his course, now flying past Len.
"What the hell are you doing?" roared Len, about to strike the snow shaman instead of the skeletons. "Be right back!" Trey answered, already passing his friend. "What!" shouted Lenny once more, but quickly turned his attention back to the skeletons, slicing them in half, both vertically and horizontally, still dumbfounded as to where the hell Trey was and what he was doing. ...that ass... he thought, felt his anger rising. ...how can he just...leave me...us here like that...? he growled, wishing he had struck him a few seconds before he had strode by. He would have continued his angry thinking, but was interrupted by something else. His eyes widdend exceptionaly, felt fresh furioku surging through him. "Well, what do you know? I've tapped into some more furioku. And Yoh said getting mad was a bad thing..." said Len cooly, dashing foward now, taking out a good fifty or sixty skeletons in one fell swoop.
Jun watched, amazed at her brother's power, but shocked at Trey's cowardice. He was always bragging about becoming Shaman King, and protecting others and being the strongest of the group, and yet he was the first to run off without even saying where he was going. ...what a fool... Jun thought, smashing another skeleton's rib cage with a powerful kick, Li doing the same to another. Sure, her, Len, Bason, and Li were holding their own, but they were weak and even though there were only about two-hundred zombie and skeletal beings still standing, they still needed Trey's help.
Jun then fell foward, hit from behind. "Aah!" she yelled, falling on her side. She sat up some, moaning slightly, looking back and saw a massive skeleton, its bony finger tips painted in her fresh blood. ...damn it... she thought, knew she didn't have much fight left in her and cursed mentally, wishing she had spent more time trainning with Li Pai Long and less time toying with Hunter spirits.
The skeleton seemed to hiss some, watching her sit up, and was already moving, drawing its large bone hand back, its finger tips like razors. Jun was sure there was nothing she could do, and just closed her eyes, waiting for her death to come.
"JUN!" screamed Len, bashing skeletons left and right, trying his hardest to make a path to her, but to no avail. ...no good, there's too many of them, i'll never make it...! he thought, horrified now, because he knew it was true, that this time he wasn't going to get through these walls of bone.
Jun only waited, knew it would be fast and tired hard to ignore her brothers desprite shouts, focusing on the blast of air that raced her way, closing her eyes tightly now-
And blinked, when she felt something gently hit her shouder. She looked to it, saw it was the bloody hand of the skeleton. Confused she looked on more, saw a heap of bones, shattered on the ground a few inches from her...and someones foot.
Jun looked up, blinking quickly, saw...Ryo before her, his spirit floating behind him, his sword resting on his shoulder. "Forgive my lateness Jun, I hope that ape did not hurt you too badly." he said, giving her a to-die-for smile. Jun blinked abit more, nodding some with a smile. "He didn't thanks to you." she said, Ryo speaking again. "A lovely flower such as yourself, does not deserve to be sitting in the dirt." he said, lifting her to her feet quickly, holding her close, winking at her now. Jun blushed brightly, unsure of what to say or do for that matter, Len opting to show her...
Without warning he quickly jump-kicked Ryo in the side, sending the poor shaman flying. Jun blinked rapidly, her brother before her now, his left eye twitching some. "Hands off my sister!" he shouted, Ryo sitting up now, whimpering. "But you know I cannot help it when I see such beauty!" whined Ryo, Len slapping his forehead. "Well admire her, one, after this battle and two, from very far away." stated Len, Ryo falling over anime style, but quickly getting to his feet.
"Ms. Jun, my lovely, I can see there is no more fight left in you." began the older shaman, styling his hair as usual, Len only rolling his eyes. "You should join Morty and the others lovelies near the exit, it will be much safer for you there." he said, looking to her seriously now. Jun blinked some, then nodded, Li behind her now. "I am a bit tired..." she said, Li nodding once more as he gently turned her around now, walking her towards the exit, where Tamora, Pillica and Morty were waiting, huddled together behind some large debris. Halfway there, Jun stopped, turnning back to Ryo some. "Thank you." she said softly, giving him a sweet smile, before continuing towards the exit. Ryo only clasped his hands happily before his chest, his heart and eyes fluttering. "Oh, Ms. Tao, my future shaman queen!" he mummbled, Lenny slapping the back of his head. "Quiet!" he shouted.
"Dude's i'm here!" said a cool voice from behind, Len not even bothering to look back to see who it was. "Nice of you to join us Trey. Are you sure you don't want to take a coffee break? Perhaps play a bit of shufflboard?" asked Len sarcastically, Trey glairing some. "Dude! I went to free poor Morty and Ryo!" said the blue haired shaman in defense, Lenny nodding some. "And me!" shouted a happy Chocolover. Len and the others looked to the shaman, shocked to see him.
"What are you doing here!"roared Lenny, Choco blinking a bit, then smiled. "I sensed you were in need of my help." he said, striking a pose, while the others exchanged glances. "Hey guys..." said Chocolover, his eyes narrowing some. The others looked to him, unsure of what he was doing. "Is there a doctor in the house?" asked Choco, now wearing a doctors coat, and motioning to the still unconcious Faust on the ground, while laughing insanely at his own terriable joke.
Len wasted no time, quickly sent the edge of his bladed weapon to lightly poke the tip of the wanna be camedians nose. "Ow! My nose! You cut it!" he cried, hopping up and down now, holding his now throbbing nose. Len only rolled his eyes, the other shamans on the ground, apparently had fallen over anime style from the horrific joke. "Enough! We've got work to do!" said a now proud Ryo, the others quickly getting to their feet now. "Yeah yeah..." said Len, looking out at the battelfield.
The four stood, taking note of the small number of skeletons left, knew there were about a good hundred and fifty or so to deal with, knew if they worked together as a team they'd be able to take them out in no time. As if reading each others minds, they exchanged glances, nodding in agreement, as they prepared to figt, and without futher ado, dashed foward, prepared to take out Hao's skeletal army for good.
Hao was beyond enraged now, but saved up his anger for his target, rather then waste it on those pathetic skeletons, or that sorry excuse for a necromancer. ...some necromancer indeed... he thought, clenching his fist some. ...he gets a damn love tap and he's down for the count... he thought bitterly, wondering if he should just go over and finish the poor fool off right then and there. ...no...stick to the plan...it'll be more fun...and much more worth while... he thought, a crule smirk playing across his lips.
Anna watched so close to freedom, she could taste it...literally, the sweat rolling off her foreheard, down her face and to her lips. She didn't know if she was sweating because her hands were almost free, or because it was so damn hot outside. ...maybe it's because you're going to die...? her mind screamed, quickly zapping her back to Earth. She watched Hao continue his pace to her and blinked some when he stopped, not sure what he was doing. She had cought it, something that made her feel very uneasy. ...his eyes...that smile, he's up to something... she thought, wishing she could have a small glimpse into his mind, to see exactly what he was planning...
And without warning, Hao flew foward, was literally flying through the air, racing at her with amazing speed. Anna only blinked, didn't even have time to prepare herself or even think for that matter, only saw a large blast of air sent back behind Hao, the massive shockwave hitting the other shamans and even the skeletons, Yoh the only one unharmed. It was terriable, trees and stone flying through the air as if they were weightless, pinning the once free shamans.
Anna just stood, knew she couldn't do crap, seeing as Hao was moving all super-sonic like now. ...show off... she thought, quickly mentally slapping herself. This wasn't time to screw around and think about stupidity. Hell, there wasn't anytime to think, period, Hao about to clobber her good...
And then Hao was gone, racing the opposite direction now. ...what the...? thought Anna, almost unable to believe her eyes, was pratcially blinded by the large amount of dust and dirt that sprayed across her body and face. It stung like all hell, like a thousand tiny needles, all hitting her at once. ...Hao... she thought, looking in the direction he was now flying in. ...where is he going...? she thought, a bit confused. All this time he had targeted her, had sliced her up a bit and slapped her, pulled on her beautiful hair and was now flying away from her. Anna would have let her thoughts wander more, but was quickly jerked back to reality when she noticed that Yoh was in Hao's path of destruction.
Yoh was on his knees, holding his side, in so much pain, that he didn't know what to focus on first. ...my back, my side... he thought, moaning, sure he had done more then just broke a few bones. He then stood, slowly now, using his sword to balance. "Lord Yoh!" shouted Amidamaru, beside the young shaman now. "Are you alright!" he asked, worried, not so much because of what had happened to him, but because he was bleeding bad and had little to no furioku left.
Yoh winced a bit, then looked to Amidamaru some, flashing the samurai a smile. "Heh, i'll be alright." he began. Amidamaru blinking a bit. "Besides, this is nothing compared to Anna's boot camp." he said, giving him a weak and shaking thumbs up. Amidamaru smiled softly, touching the young boys hair some. "Lord Yoh..." he began, the two seeming to forget they were in the middle of a battlefeild, their minds returning with Anna's horrified screams.
Hao only smirked, racing towards his brother. ...Yoh... he thought, narrowing his eyes, his cruel smirk widdening. ...you are my true target... he continued, carrying on his new plan. It didn't matter that Faust had failed, or that the skeletons were worthless and that Yoh's little posses and soon to be wife were alive. No, nothing like that mattered anymore. What did matter now was Hao getting some kind of revenge, somekind of satisfaction, the kind he had felt when he had had the others pinned and helpless. ...if I can't kill them, and I can't kill Anna, then I shall kill you... thought Hao hatefully, clenching his fist tighter, putting almost all his furioku in the punch that would soon strike Yoh, ending his miserable exsistence possibly forever.
Yoh blinked, taken aback a bit, when he saw his friends, skeletons, trees and massive boulders go flying past him, leaving him amazingly untouched. ...how in the world...? he thought, then shook his head. ...if it's not broken, don't fix it... he thought, smiling s bit, as he pushed himself to his feet, groaning. He felt like hell and knew he looked like it too, but quickly reminded himself that this wasn't the time or place to droll. This was a battlefield, and one that might soon turn into thier graves, especiacially if they didnt do something quick...
"YOH!" yelled Anna, watched frightenly as Hao got closer and closer to his twin, saw the now red-ish glow his body emited, saw the mass of red aura flowing around his massive fist. Yoh blinked some, looking up...and let out a painful moan, his eyes widdening exceptionally at the tremendous pain in his gut. ...Anna... he thought, clenching his teeth some now, closing his eyes tightly, felt blood trickle out the left corner of his mouth.
Hao smiled contently at his brother, felt Yoh's knees go weak, his full weight falling against the fist that was now shoved deeply into his gut. Hao knew he hadn't hit anything too vital, hadn't even broken the skin, had done just enough to knock the wind out of his brother, knocking him out in the process.
Hao watched as Yoh slowly slummped over, falling to the ground, laying on his back. He smirked, dusting his hands off, as if signaling a job well done. Anna blinked, watch terrifiedly, the tears in her eyes already forming small waterfalls down her soft pink cheeks. ...Yoh... she thought, shaking her head some. ...is he...? she thought, then jerked her head downwards, her eyes closed tightly, her jaw set, teeth clenched. ...no... she thought, bititng down harder. ...he can't be...he can't... she thought, emitting a soft moan, her tears falling to the now blood stained Earth.
"We're done here..." said Hao, chuckling some as he reached down, grabbing Yoh by his hair. Yoh let out a soft moan, weakly grabbing at his brother's wrist, trying to pull himself free, but was just too damn tired and beat up to do anything. He then went limp, his arms hanging at his sides, one eye open, the other shut, angrily glairing at Hao. Hao only smirked, had lifted Yoh high enough to where his toes bearly scraped the ground.
"Any last words?" Hao asked, Yoh growling some, looking past Hao at Anna, who staired at him sadly, her tears flowing freely now. ...Anna... he thought, wishing he could have got to her, knew now he'd have no chance. He then looked back at Hao, at the cruel, evil smirk, those dark, cold eyes, so full of hate. "How...can you be human...?" asked Yoh, Hao glairing, catching Yoh's meaning behind the words.
Yoh had ment the fact that Hao showed no emotion, basically implying that his cruelty was something a human could never begin to show or understand. Hao didn't care though, only narrowed his eyes, smirking, leaning to Yoh's ear whispering into it softly. "I'm better then human..." he began. "I'm a Shaman..."
Yoh growled, thrashing a bit, but quickly stopped. Hao smirked, drawing his fist back. Hao smiled at his brother, letting what furioku he had left charge his fist, it edmitting a bright red glow now. Hao smiled wide, clenching his fist tightly, letting it race towards his brothers chest. "I'll see you in Hell Yoh Asakura!" roared Hao, Yoh closing his eyes tight, the other shamans, including Anna screaming Yoh's name, despritly trying to recover, to attempt to save their friend, knew there was nothing they could do, that Hao would be the victor of this sick and insanly twisted battle.
Hao was in absolute extasty when he felt his fist nearing his brothers chest, the shear thought of killing his brother driving him on, fuled by his hatred from deep within. This was it, finally, Yoh was going to die and at Hao's hands! ...then no one will stand in my way... Hao thought, smirking. Once Yoh was out of the picture, the others would all drop like flies, and taking the Shaman King title would be as easy as taking candy from a baby.
With this in mind, Hao focused all his furioku now, anxious to meet Yoh's chest with his fist and just as the two were about to collide-
Hao's arm froze, had simply jerked to a stop. Hao blinked, watched as the once burnning red aura about his hand fade into nothing-ness. ...what the hell...? he thought, still stairing at his hand in disbelief. He went to move his hand some and stopped instantly, felt a sharp pain around his wrist. He narrowed his eyes some, blinking when he caught sight of fresh red blood, dripping down what appeared to be thin wire. He narrowed his eyes more, growling a bit, knew full well who this weapon belonged to.
"Sorry Hao..." said a soft voice from behind, Hao turning his head back some to staire at the green haired boy, who's eyes were as cold as ice. "I cant let you kill Yoh..." stated the young male.
Yoh blinked a bit, shocked as to why he was still alive, why Hao had stopped his speeidng fist of death. He was dreaming, that had to be it, because Hao was not going to waste anymore time with fun and games, this was the real thing. Yoh gently cranked his neck back some, peering behind Hao, following what appeared to be a thin line of twine or wire. ...what's that...? he thought, following it with his eyes to see it was attached to someones wrist... and was shocked at who he saw.
Hao only narrowed his eyes, raising his arm up some, the weilder of the wire pulling it back to once again hold his arm in place. "I'd stop moving if I were..." said the boy, narrowing his eyes a bit. "You wouldn't want to cut your wrist now would you?" he asked, Hao growling some. "You..." he said, gripping Yoh's hair tightier, keeping his eyes on the boy who dared to interfear. Yoh moaned, the others watching now, blinking as Yoh shouted out for the boy. "Lyserg!" he cried, Lyserg smiling some.
"I'm here Yoh..." said Lyserg gently, looking to his now helpless friend, then to Hao, hate rising in the boy. This was his moment now, his moment to get revenge on the man who had destroyed his life, who had taken his parents away from him. It was his turn to save those who had risked their lives to save him, to save the only friends he knew. It was his moment in the sun, ...my moment to shine...
(HOLY CRAP, is all i can say, because this, has to be the LONGEST chapter i have ever typed thus far. lol X.x I know i know, i dragged it on, but i wanted to because i really wanted to just keep everything that happened here together, not having to make eeryone wait til i uploaded the next chapter. I'm sorry it's so long, but it does have alot of action in it, at least i think so X.x and i'm actually really happy with how it turned out. and im SOOO SO SOOOO Sorry for taking so long in working on this chapter, i PROMISE the next one will be up within the next 3 or 4 days! Thank you once more for all of you that review, means alot to me and makes em wanna keep writitng, so please continue to read and review and please enjoy this chapter and the next. -Melis)